5 inch gauge B1 with boiler

An early stage 5 inch gauge LNER B1 to Martin Evans' "Springbok" design, this one has come to us recently as part of a large collection of locomotives and stationary engines.

Work to date comprises:

• Rolling chassis with gunmetal horns and split axleboxes
• Part-machined gunmetal cylinders
• Silver soldered copper boiler
• Cab
• Tender chassis with brass superstructure platework formed
• Brass tube for smokebox, along with door, saddle and ring castings
• Unmachined castings including grate, chimney and dome

Boiler appears well made with neatly flanged plates and good solder penetration. Standard of construction and parsimonious use of silver solder suggests commercially built - all other engines from this collection had boilers either by Spink or Chambers - but marked only with a number, it bears no maker's mark.